Cement News tagged under: MPA

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MPA survey reveals deteriorating markets

07 February 2024, Published under Cement News

The UK-based Mineral Products Association (MPA) has released the results of its latest industry sales survey, revealing a second consecutive annual drop in sales volumes of heavy-side building materials in Great Britain. The deteriorating market for aggregates, concrete, asphalt and mortar has unfolded against a backdrop of unfavourable economic conditions, escalating costs, rising interest rates and a diminishing pipeline of new construction projects, says the MPA. The quarterly surve...

MPA welcomes UK CBAM

21 December 2023, Published under Cement News

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has welcomed plans by the UK Government to level the carbon cost playing field between UK cement production and imports, by introducing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) by 2027.    The UK cement and concrete sector – represented by the MPA – provides a secure, domestic supply of essential materials to build the infrastructure needed for a low carbon future, and makes a vital contribution to UK GVA, supporting skilled jobs across the cou...

Assessing the value of concrete and cement as a carbon sink

08 December 2023, Published under Cement News

This week, the Mineral Products Association (MPA) prepared a 112-page report for the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to ascertain a two-tier recarbonation model that measures the amount of CO2 absorbed from the atmosphere by concrete in the UK. 'Recarbonation' or carbonation describes how concrete and other cement-containing products naturally absorb and permanently store CO 2 during their lifetime, reversing the calcination reaction. While the Intergovernmental Pan...

MPA deeply disappointed at lack of Government CBAM announcement

27 November 2023, Published under Cement News

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) is deeply disappointed by the lack of commitment to a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in the Autumn Statement. This missed opportunity should be urgently followed by publication of the promised consultation response announcing introduction of a CBAM.  "Failure to take this opportunity to demonstrate support for energy intensive industries, including cement, adds further uncertainty to the creation of a level playing field on carbon cost wi...

MPS urges UK government to invest

15 November 2023, Published under Cement News

Ahead of the UK Government’s Autumn Statement on 22 November 2023, the Mineral Products Association (MPA) has written to the chancellor of the exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, urging the government to invest in Britain’s infrastructure rather than accepting a managed decline. Prompted by the government’s decision to cancel Phase 2 of the rail project, HS2, compounding already poor delivery of UK infrastructure projects (including Road Investment Strategies 1 and 2), the MPA’s letter sets out h...

MPA welcomes electricity network compensation in UK

25 October 2023, Published under Cement News

UK producers of cement and lime have welcomed the government's plans to boost UK competitiveness through compensating for high network charges as part of the ‘British Industry Supercharger’. The Mineral Products Association (MPA), which represents UK cement and lime manufacturers, says the network charges compensation announced by the Department for Business and Trade will ease electricity costs and narrow the disparity between the UK and EU industrial electricity prices. Combined with ot...

MPA welcomes Lex Russell as new chair

07 September 2023, Published under Cement News

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has appointed Lex Russell, managing director of CEMEX UK Materials, as its new chair for the next two years. Mr Russell takes over from Simon Willis, CEO of Hanson UK, who held the role for an extended three-year period, ensuring continuity during the period of leadership change with the appointment of Jon Prichard as MPA CEO. According to the association, the role of MPA chair is a non-executive position responsible to the MPA Board, whilst also l...

MPA voices concerns over UK government housebuilding plans

01 September 2023, Published under Cement News

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has written to the UK government voicing concerns over the government’s recent announcements regarding housebuilding. Two differing policy proposals designed to boost housebuilding, put forward by the current government and the Labour opposition, support plans to deliver new homes but, according to the MPA, fail to recognise the importance of the construction supply chains in realising their housing ambitions. Robert McIlveen, director of public affa...

MPA welcomes EU law reforms

16 May 2023, Published under Cement News

The Mineral Products Association (MPA), which represents producers of essential mineral products such as aggregates, concrete and asphalt, has welcomed the UK government’s decision to change direction on regulatory reform, altering its plans to automatically ditch EU laws by the year-end. In its current form the Retained EU Law (REUL) Bill would have caused fresh uncertainty for British businesses, serving as a distraction from meaningful regulatory reform, according to the MPA. The Depar...

UK spring budget: MPA rues missed opportunity

20 March 2023, Published under Cement News

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has responded to the UK Government’s Spring Budget by calling for clearer action to accelerate investment, green growth and infrastructure delivery, compared to the relatively “patchy and underwhelming agenda” set out by the Chancellor. The confirmation that the Aggregates Levy will be frozen for 2023-24 is a source of relief, although MPA is concerned that the Government plans to increase the Levy in line with the retail price index from 2024-25 onw...